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Riyadh Marathon

January 30, 2027 · 6:00 AMRiyadh, Saudi Arabia

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Race snapshot

Race Day

59°F

45–72°F · Feels cool

Total elevation gain

197ft

Relatively flat course · Net elevation change +0 ft

Participants

20K

Major marathon

Crowd Rating

6/ 10

Good crowd energy

The Lowdown

The Riyadh Marathon is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's official full marathon, first held in 2022 and organized by the Saudi Sports for All Federation under the Ministry of Sport. Held annually in late January when Riyadh's desert climate is at its coolest, the event carries a World Athletics Elite Road Race Label, attracting elite international fields alongside thousands of recreational runners. The loop-based course centers on the campus of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, with start and finish areas close together. Alongside the 42.195 km marathon, the event offers a half marathon, 10K and 5K fun run, plus a multi-day festival open to the public. As the flagship endurance event of Saudi Arabia's growing running scene, it is a notable destination race for runners seeking a flat, fast, winter-season marathon in the Middle East.

Prepare for This Race

Pace CalculatorPlan splits for marathon Race PredictorPredict your marathon time BQ CalculatorBQ-eligible course Fuel PlannerPlan nutrition for marathon, cool weather Difficulty Analyzer197ft gain, 59°F avg, marathon Training PacesTraining zones for marathon

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